Police arraign herdsman over alleged rape in Benue

The Benue State Police Command yesterday arraigned a Fulani herdsman Umaru Easyam for alleged rape of a pregnant house wife, name withheld.

Easyam claimed to have come from Tse-Ikyer Mbakyoondo village in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State.

Prosecuting Officer, Sergeant Godwin Ato told the court that the husband of the victim, in company of Civilian Joint Task Force members in the area had on the 20th of this November arrested and brought the accused to Naka Police Station.

The complainant stated that the arrested herder abandoned his cows and forcefully had sexual intercourse with his wife who was returning from the farm.

It was during police investigation that the accused was apprehended.

No plea was taken for want of jurisdiction while the prosecutor said investigation was still in progress and asked for another date.

Counsel to the accused, Mr T. A Ahmed, said he would apply for the bail of his client.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Isaac Ajim ordered that the accused be remanded at Federal Prison Makurdi.